Portable ultraviolet disinfector

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present application disclose a handheld ultraviolet (UV) apparatus for surface disinfection. In one embodiment, the handheld UV apparatus includes a cabinet, a UV lamp, and a tapered reflector unit. The cabinet includes a side having an optical window. The UV lamp is mounted within the cabinet and proximate to the optical window, where the UV lamp is configured to provide UV light through the optical window. The tapered reflector unit includes a tapered reflector mounted within a housing. The tapered reflector unit includes a first open end, a second open end, and a lumen therebetween. The first open end is attached to the side for receiving the UV light. The first open end is larger than the second open end. The tapered reflector unit is adapted for directing the UV light through the lumen towards a target surface via the second open end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to ultraviolet-baseddisinfection and particularly relates to portable ultravioletdisinfectors.

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) light is an effective sterilization agent that breaksdown pathogens to render them harmless. Modern disinfection devicesgenerally include a UV source mounted on a wheeled carriage or ahandheld device to project UV light for surface disinfection. Suchtraditional wheeled UV devices typically allow for UV irradiation onlyin elevated or set planes to fail in disinfecting hidden or obstructedhigh-touch surfaces, for example, room corners and undersides ofdoorknobs and handrails. In contrast, handheld UV devices provide bettermaneuverability for targeting such surfaces. However, conventionalhandheld UV devices typically rely on complicated and expensive softwareor electronic manipulation to improve the disinfection efficiency andprovide no measures to limit UV dispersion away from a target surface.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present application describe a portable ultraviolet(UV) disinfector. One embodiment of the portable UV disinfector includesa handheld UV apparatus for surface disinfection. The handheld UVapparatus includes a cabinet, a UV lamp, and a tapered reflector unit.The cabinet includes a side having an optical window. The UV lamp may bemounted within the cabinet and proximate to the optical window. The UVlamp may be configured to provide UV light through the optical window.The tapered reflector unit may include a tapered reflector mountedwithin a housing. The tapered reflector unit may include a first openend, a second open end, and a lumen therebetween. The first open end maybe attached to the side for receiving the UV light. The first open endmay be larger than the second open end. The tapered reflector unit maybe adapted for directing the UV light through the lumen towards a targetsurface via the second open end.

Another embodiment of the portable UV apparatus includes a handheldultraviolet (UV) apparatus for surface disinfection, where the handheldUV apparatus includes a cabinet, a UV lamp, a housing, and afrustoconical reflector. The cabinet may include a side having anoptical window. The UV lamp may be mounted within the cabinet andproximate to the optical window. The UV lamp may be configured toprovide UV light through the optical window. The housing may include adistal portion and a proximal portion including a proximal open end. Thehousing may taper from the proximal open end to a distal open end of thedistal portion, where the proximal open end may be attached to the side.The frustoconical reflector may be mounted within the housing. Thefrustoconical reflector may include a distal opening located in thedistal portion and an opposing proximal opening located in the proximalportion. The proximal opening may be adapted to receive the UV light andhave a first diameter greater than a second diameter of the distalopening. The frustoconical reflector may be adapted for directing thereceived UV light therethrough towards a target surface via the distalopening.

The above summary of exemplary embodiments is not intended to describeeach disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the presentapplication. Other and further aspects and features of the applicationwill be evident from reading the following detailed description of theembodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the presentapplication.

BRIEF DECSRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. The following description isintended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selectedembodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent withthe subject matter as described herein.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary portable UVdisinfector, according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the portable UV disinfector ofFIG. 1 mounted with a frustoconical tapered reflector unit, according toanother embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a front right perspective view of a cabinet for the portableUV disinfector of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 4 is a rear left perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 3,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a rear right perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 3 showinginternal components, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 6 is a rear right perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 3including a battery for the portable UV disinfector of FIG. 1, accordingto an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 1 including a tapered reflector unit, the cabinet of FIG. 3, andL-shaped angle bars therebetween, according to an embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 8 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 1 showing a frustoconical reflector inside a tapered reflectorunit, according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a rear right perspective view of the tapered reflector unit ofFIG. 8 with L-shaped angle bars of FIG. 7, according to an embodiment ofthe present application.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the tapered reflector unit of FIG. 9without the L-shaped angle bars of FIG. 7, according to an embodiment ofthe present application.

FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 1 showing a UV lamp extending into the frustoconical reflectorof FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the tapered reflector unit of FIG.10 showing the frustoconical reflector of FIG. 8 inside a housing,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13 is a front right perspective view of a tapered reflector unitmade up of two distinct parts, according to another embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 14 is a front right perspective view of a portable UV disinfectormounted with the tapered reflector unit of FIG. 13, according to anembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 15 is a front right perspective view of a tapered reflector unitincluding slots, according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 16 is a front right perspective view of a portable UV disinfectormounted with the tapered reflector unit of FIG. 15 including a slottedfrustoconical reflector, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the tapered reflector unit of FIG.15 showing the slotted frustoconical reflector of FIG. 16 inside aslotted housing, according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary lens attachment for the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 16, according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 19 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 16 showing the lens attachment of FIG. 18 inserted into thefrustoconical reflector of FIG. 16, according to an embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 20 is a front left perspective view of an exemplary square brushfor the portable UV disinfector of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 14, and FIG. 16,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 21 is a top elevation view of the square brush of FIG. 20,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 22 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 1 showing the square brush of FIG. 20 being mounted thereon,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 23 is a front left perspective view of an exemplary round brush forthe portable UV disinfector of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 14, and FIG. 16,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 24 is a top elevation view of the round brush of FIG. 23, accordingto an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 25 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 1 showing the round brush of FIG. 23 being mounted thereon,according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 26 is a left side perspective view of a support block for thecabinet of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary connection mechanism between the cabinet of FIG.3 and the support block of FIG. 26, according to an embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 28 is a front right perspective view of an exemplary mobileplatform mounted with the support block of FIG. 26, according to anembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 29 is a front right perspective view of the portable UV disinfectorof FIG. 1 mounted on the mobile platform of FIG. 26, according to anembodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided with reference to thedrawings herein. Exemplary embodiments are provided as illustrativeexamples so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice theapplication. It will be appreciated that further variations of theconcepts and embodiments disclosed herein can be contemplated. Theexamples described in the present application may be used together indifferent combinations. In the following description, details are setforth in order to provide an understanding of the present application.It will be readily apparent, however, that the present application maybe practiced without limitation to all these details. Also, throughoutthe present application, the terms “a” and “an” are intended to denoteat least one of a particular element. The terms “a” and “an” may alsodenote more than one of a particular element. As used herein, the term“includes” means includes but not limited to, the term “including” meansincluding but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at leastin part on, the term “based upon” means based at least in part upon, andthe term “such as” means such as but not limited to. The term “relevant”means closely connected or appropriate to what is being done orconsidered.

Further, where certain elements of the present application can bepartially or fully implemented using known components, only thoseportions of such known components that are necessary for anunderstanding of the present application will be described, and detaileddescriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted soas not to obscure the invention(s). In the present application, anembodiment showing a singular component should not be consideredlimiting; rather, the present application is intended to encompass otherembodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa,unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant doesnot intend for any term in the present application to be ascribed anuncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Thepresent invention encompasses present and future known equivalents tothe known components referred to herein by way of illustration ordescription.

Embodiments are disclosed in the context of surface disinfection andoptical or light amplification; however, one having ordinary skill inthe art would understand that the concepts described in the presentapplication may be implemented for various other applications including,but are not limited to, UV curing, air or water purification,light-based communication, indoor gardening, and fluorescent inspectionor investigation.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary portable ultraviolet(UV) disinfector 100, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication. The portable UV disinfector 100 (or simply, disinfector100) may represent a wide variety of portable and/or handheld devicesconfigured to emit UV light for disinfection. In one embodiment, thedisinfector 100 may include a tapered reflector unit 102 and a cabinet104. The tapered reflector unit 102 may assist in improving theuniformity and/or intensity of the UV light passing therethrough. Thetapered reflector unit 102 may be constructed to have any suitableshapes known in the art. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, thetapered reflector unit 102 may be shaped as a pyramidal frustum. Inanother example (FIG. 2), the tapered reflector unit 102 may befrustoconical, i.e., shaped as a conical frustum. Other examples mayinclude the tapered reflector unit 102, or components thereof, beingshaped as a combination of a conical frustum and a polygonal frustumsuch as a pyramidal frustum. The tapered reflector unit 102 and thecabinet 104 may be constructed separately for an ease of manufacturingand then assembled together.

The cabinet 104 may have any suitable geometry, cross-section,partition(s), and/or compartment(s) for carrying various components forproviding or generating a germicide such as the UV light. The cabinet104 may be formed as a single part or a set of multiple separate parts(e.g., panels, compartments, containers, etc.) assembled together. Forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the cabinet 104 may include afront plate 120-1, a rear plate 120-2, a first lateral plate 120-3 a , asecond lateral plate 120-3 b , a top plate 120-4, and a bottom plate120-5 (hereinafter collectively referred to as plates 120). Each of thefirst lateral plate 120-3 a and the second lateral plate 120-3 b(hereinafter collectively referred to as lateral plates 120-3) mayextend between the front plate 120-1 and the rear plate 120-2. In theillustrated embodiment, the top plate 120-4 may include a handle 122being permanently attached, removably secured, or formed integral to thecabinet 104. Some examples may include the handle 122 being a portion orbody design of the cabinet 104, or the disinfector 100, usable forassisting an operator in holding, carrying, and/or moving thedisinfector 100, and/or the cabinet 104. Other examples may include anyof the plates 120 including one or more interactive units to assist in(i) controlling, activating, terminating, detaching and/or attaching acomponent such as a UV source or an intended operation of thedisinfector 100 and/or (ii) providing an indication (e.g., audio,visual, haptic, etc.) in response thereof. For instance, as illustrated,the top plate 120-4 may include a switch 124 to turn on and off thedisinfector 100 or a part thereof such as the UV source or lamp. Otherexamples of the interactive units may include, but are not limited to,display units, buttons, rotary dials, sensors, microphones, speakers,cameras, interactive touchscreens, and lighting elements such as bulbsand light emitting diodes (LEDs). Further, the front plate 120-1 mayinclude a window 130 made optically permeable to at least the UV light.In one example, the window 130, or the corresponding plate such as thefront plate 120-1, may include, or be mounted with, a quartz glass orany other suitable materials known in the art that may be opticallypermeable to UV light and assist in protecting components inside thecabinet 104 from dust. In another example, the window 130 may includeone or more openings. Other examples may include the window 130 beingalternatively, or additionally, mounted with an optical filterconfigured for allowing the UV light, or a specific wavelength thereofor that of electromagnetic radiation, to pass therethrough. The window130 may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape(e.g., rectangular, square, trapezoid, etc.), or any combinationsthereof. The window 130 may be located in the front plate 120-1;however, some examples may include the window 130 being additionally, oralternatively located, in any other plates 120 depending on an intendedapplication and/or connection with a functional part such as orincluding the tapered reflector unit 102.

Each of the plates 120 may correspond to a side of the cabinet 104. Theplates 120, or the cabinet 104, may be made of metals, polymers, alloys,or any other suitable materials known in the art that are sufficientlyrigid, sturdy, and opaque to (i) support various operational componentsof the disinfector 100 and (ii) block UV light. One or more of thelateral plates 120-3, such as the first lateral plate 120-3 a , may havevent openings 132 for allowing air to pass therethrough. The ventopenings 132 may assist in dissipating heat from in and around thecabinet 104 during operation. In some examples, the vent openings 132may be constructed or supplemented with additional components, such asdownward slanting panels (not shown), to limit or prevent misdirectedprojection and/or leakage of UV light therefrom to the ambientsurroundings while allowing airflow.

In one embodiment, the cabinet 104 may include a UV source such as a UVlamp 134, a cooling unit, and a control system. The UV source mayinclude any high voltage optical component (e.g., Xenon UV lamp, UVbulb, etc.) or low voltage optical component (e.g., UV LED), or anycombinations thereof. In the illustrated example, the UV source may bean elongated UV lamp 134 configured to emit UV light of a predeterminedenergy within a predetermined germicidal wavelength range or wavelengthsincluding 280 nm (i.e., UV type C); 280-315 nm (i.e., UV type B);200-300 nm (i.e., middle UV); and 122-200 nm (i.e., far UV), or anycombinations thereof. Other wavelength ranges may also be employed,including those providing ionizing radiation (e.g., extreme UV having awavelength between 10-120 nm).

The UV lamp 134 may be a pulsed radiation source, a continuous radiationsource, or a set of both the pulsed radiation source and the continuousradiation source configured to emit pulses of UV light. In someexamples, the UV lamp 134 may be configured for pulsed or nearcontinuous emission of the UV light. Other examples may include the UVlamp 134 operating in combination with different types of radiation andnon-radiation sources (not shown), which may be provided on thedisinfector 100, or the cabinet 104, and configured for providingassistive agents for disinfection. Examples of such assistive agents mayinclude, but are not limited to, chemical agents (e.g., alcohols,oxidizing agents, naturally occurring or modified compounds, etc.),physical agents (e.g., heat, pressure, vibration, sound, radiation,plasma, electrical current, etc.), and biological agents (e.g.,organisms, plants or plant products, organic residues,assistive-pathogens, etc.). In some embodiments, the UV lamp 134 may bepartitioned from other components within the cabinet 104. For example,the UV lamp 134 may be housed within a dedicated casing or compartment.

The UV lamp 134 may be mounted within the cabinet 104 and positionedadjacent to the window 130. The UV lamp 134 may be arranged vertically,horizontally, or at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis LU of thetapered reflector unit 102. For instance, as illustrated, the UV lamp134 may be mounted to the first lateral plate 120-3 a and inside thecabinet 104. The mounted UV lamp 134 may be arranged horizontally andparallel to the bottom plate 120-5, so that the UV lamp 134 extendsperpendicular to the longitudinal axis LU of the tapered reflector unit102 upon being attached. The cabinet 104 may further include a parabolicreflector 146 behind the UV lamp 134. The parabolic reflector 146 mayassist in directing the UV light towards the window 130. The UV lamp 134may be cooled by the cooling unit during operation.

In one embodiment, the cooling unit may include a first fan 136-1 and asecond fan 136-2 (hereinafter collectively referred to as fans 136) fordissipating heat accumulated around the components or portions connectedto the cabinet 104. For example, as illustrated, the fans 136 may bemounted to the second lateral plate 120-3 b ; however, any other plates120 may also be contemplated for mounting one or more fans such as thefans 136. The first fan 136-1 may be mounted along a longitudinal axisof the UV lamp 134. The first fan 136-1 may operate as a vacuum sourcefor drawing out warm air and creating a negative pressure within thecabinet 104 for cooling the UV lamp 134 and surrounding components. Insome instances, the first fan 136-1, or the vacuum source, may beoptionally implemented using channeling devices such as hoses (notshown) extending to specific locations or components (e.g., UV lamp 134,control system, etc.) of the cabinet 104 or the disinfector 100. On theother hand, the second fan 136-2 may blow air, thereby creating apositive airflow, inside the cabinet 104. Such positive airflow may coolthe surrounding components, such as the UV lamp 134, by pushing out thewarm air through the vent openings 132. The UV lamp 134 and otherelectrical/electronic components of the disinfector 100 may be driven bythe control system.

The control system may include a power supply unit 138 and a controller140. The power supply unit 138 may include or be coupled to a highvoltage power supply, a low voltage power supply, or a combinationthereof. For instance, the power supply unit 138 may deliver therequired power supply from an external electrical outlet via a powercord (not shown) attached to a socket 144 in the rear plate 120-2 of thecabinet 104. In another instance, as shown in FIG. 6, the power supplyunit 138 may additionally include a battery 142 placed within thecabinet 104. The socket 144, in this instance, may operate as a powerconnector to power standalone devices and components. The powerconnector may be configured to operate independently, or in combinationwith the UV lamp 134. Further, the controller 140 may include anelectronic or an electromechanical device configured to controlpredefined or dynamically defined functions of various componentsoperationally coupled to the disinfector 100. The controller 140 may beimplemented by way of a single device (e.g., a computing device,processor or an electronic storage device) or a combination of multipledevices. In some embodiments, the controller 140 may be implemented inhardware or a suitable combination of hardware and software. In someexamples, the controller 140 may operate in communication with acomputing device or a sensor located locally or remote from the cabinet104, or the disinfector 100. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the cabinet 104 isshown to include transparent sides or plates 120 only for the sake ofexplaining the components located therewith. One having ordinary skillin the art would understand that walls of the cabinet 104, or relatedcomponents such as plates 120, would be made optically impermeable to UVlight based on concepts disclosed in the present application.

The cabinet 104, or a part thereof, may be permanently attached,detachably secured, or formed integral to the tapered reflector unit 102or a portion thereof. For instance, the tapered reflector unit 102 mayhave a first portion 150 (or proximal portion), a second portion 152 (ordistal portion), and a tapered section 158 extending therebetween. Inthe present disclosure, a term “proximal” may refer to a portion,section, side, end, location, direction, or position being relativelyclosest to the window 130 of the cabinet 104 102 and/or the UV lamp 134.On the other hand, a term “distal” may refer to a portion, section,side, end, location, direction, or position being relatively farthestfrom the window 130 of the cabinet 104 and/or the UV lamp 134.

The tapered reflector unit 102, or the first portion 150, may have afirst open end 154 having a first cross-sectional dimension. Similarly,the tapered reflector unit 102, or the second portion 152, may have asecond open end 156 having a second cross-sectional dimension. In thepresent application, an “open end” is used in the context of itsbroadest definition. For example, the “open end” may refer to or includea surface including an opening. In some examples, the “open end” mayrefer to a surface including an opening in optical communication withanother opening. The first open end 154 may be located opposite to thesecond open end 156 along a longitudinal axis LU of the taperedreflector unit 102. The tapered section 158 may gradually taper from thefirst open end 154 to the second open end 156 such that the firstcross-sectional dimension may be relatively greater than the secondcross-sectional dimension. In one example, the second open end 156, orthe second cross-sectional dimension, may be at least approximately 20%smaller than the first open end 154, or the first cross-sectionaldimension. The tapered section 158 may be shaped as a pyramidal frustum;however, other examples may include the tapered section 158 being shapedto have a circular cross-section, an elliptical cross-section, apolygonal cross-section (e.g., square, rectangular, or trapezoidalcross-sections, etc.) or any combinations thereof. For instance, thetapered section 158 may have a shape of a pyramidal frustum having asquare cross-section or a frustoconical shape having a circularcross-section. As shown in FIG. 7, the tapered section 158 may include alumen 174 for allowing the UV light to pass therethrough. In someexamples, the tapered section 158 may be hollow. The lumen 174 have anysuitable shape depending a shape of the tapered section 158. In oneinstance, the lumen 174 may be frustoconical based on the taperedsection 158, or the tapered reflector unit 102, having a frustoconicalshape. Other instances may include the lumen 174 being shaped as apyramidal frustum, or any similar polygonal frustum.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tapered reflector unit102 may be detachably secured to the front plate 120-1 via L-shape anglebars 160-1 and 160-2 connected using nuts and bolts. Other examples mayinclude the tapered reflector unit 102 being detachably secured usingany other suitable connection types (e.g., screws, luer lock, plug andsocket, latch lock, etc.) or connection mechanisms (e.g., screw fit,snap fit, welding, gluing, etc.) known in the art. Upon being secured tothe front plate 120-1, the tapered reflector unit 102 may be disposed infront of the window 130, or the UV lamp 134, unlike the parabolicreflector 146. The tapered reflector unit 102 may be made up of multiplepieces or a single piece based on (i) a type or arrangement ofunderlying reflector(s), (ii) ease of construction and/or assembly,(iii) ease of handling and/or portability of the disinfector 100. In oneembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the tapered reflector unit 102 mayinclude a tapered housing 170 and a tapered reflector 172 mounted withinthe housing 170. The tapered reflector 172 may be mounted within thetapered housing 170 using any suitable connection mechanisms known inthe art including those mentioned above. The tapered reflector 172 mayhave a frustoconical shape (e.g., having a circular cross-section) andthe tapered housing 170 may be shaped as a pyramidal frustum, e.g.,having a square cross-section; however, other examples may include thehousing 170 and the tapered reflector 172 having the same longitudinalshapes or the same cross-sectional shapes. For instance, the taperedreflector 172 may have a frustoconical shape within a frustoconicalhousing 170. Other instances may include the tapered reflector 172 beingshaped as a pyramidal frustum within the housing 170 having the sameshape.

The tapered reflector 172 (e.g., frustoconical reflector) may besubstantially hollow, or include a lumen 176, for allowing the light topass therethrough. Some examples may include the tapered housing 170having an inner surface (not shown) operating as a reflector andextending longitudinally along the tapered section 158. For instance,the inner surface may be reflective (e.g., inner surface made of areflective metal or alloy) or made reflective, e.g., upon being coatedwith any suitable optically reflective inks or paints known in the art.The inner surface, in some examples, may be curved; however, otherexamples may include the inner surface being or including a flatsurface. Accordingly, in these examples, the housing 170 may besubstantially hollow for allowing the light to pass therethrough and theinner surface operating as the tapered reflector 172, and/or the lumen176, may be shaped same as the housing 170.

The housing 170, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, may include a distal portion180 having a distal open end 182 and a proximal portion 184 including aproximal open end 186. The proximal open end 186 may include the firstopen end 154 of the tapered reflector unit 102 and the distal open end182 may include the second open end 156 of the tapered reflector unit102. In some examples, the distal open end 182, or the second open end156, may extend in a plane (hereinafter referred to as tip plane)intersecting the longitudinal axis LU of the tapered reflector unit 102.The tip plane may be perpendicular, or at an angle of 90 degrees, withrespect to the longitudinal axis LU of the tapered reflector unit 102;however, some examples may include the angle being less than or greaterthan 90 degrees for imparting a tapered profile to the distal open end182. The tip plane (e.g., second open end 156 or the distal open end182) may be parallel to a base plane including the proximal open end 186(or the first open end 154); however, other examples may include the tipplane being non-parallel to the base plane. The housing 170 may betapered between the proximal open end 186 and the distal open end 182.The housing 170 may include the tapered reflector 172 mounted therein.The tapered reflector 172 may have a distal opening 190 in the distalportion 180 and a proximal opening 192 in the proximal portion 184. Theproximal opening 192 may be located proximate to the proximal open end186 and the distal opening 190 may be located proximate to the distalopen end 182 of the housing 170. In some examples, the proximal open end186 may include the proximal opening 192 and the distal open end 182 mayinclude the distal opening 190.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the proximal open end 186 may include a rim(or a first periphery 194) of the housing 170. Similarly, the distalopen end 182 may have a second periphery 196. The rim, or the proximalopen end 186, may be attached to the front plate 120-1 of the cabinet104 using any suitable connection mechanisms as discussed above. Uponbeing attached, the proximal open end 186, and/or the proximal opening192, may substantially align with and cover the window 130 in the frontplate 120-1 of the cabinet 104 to avoid any light leakage from anyspaces between the cabinet 104 and the tapered reflector unit 102 or thehousing 170. Some examples may include the UV lamp 134 being mountedwithin the cabinet 104 but extending into the attached tapered reflectorunit 102, or the underlying tapered reflector 172, as shown in FIG. 11.The UV lamp 134 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis LF of thetapered reflector 172, or that of the tapered reflector unit 102.

The proximal opening 192 may have a first diameter and the distalopening 190 may have a second diameter. In one example the firstdiameter (or the first periphery 194) may be at least approximately 20%larger than the second diameter (or the second periphery 196). Thesecond diameter may range from approximately 5 cm to approximately 30 cmdepending on the intended size of the disinfector 100 and intendedcoverage for surface disinfection. As illustrated in FIG. 12, theproximal opening 192 may be located opposite to the distal opening 190along the longitudinal axis LU of the tapered reflector unit 102, orthat of the tapered reflector 172. The longitudinal axis LU of thetapered reflector unit 102, or that of the tapered reflector 172 in someexamples, may define, or include, a central axis of the window 130, thefront plate 120-1, or the cabinet 104. The central axis may beperpendicular to the front plate 120-1, or the window 130, in oneexample. The central axis may also longitudinally pass through therespective centers of the proximal opening 192 and the distal opening190; however, the central axis being off-centered from the respectivecenters of the proximal opening 192 and the distal opening 190 may alsobe contemplated.

Further, a length of the tapered reflector 172, or that of the taperedreflector unit 102, may be inversely proportional to a respectiveconical half angle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a firstconical half angle θ of the tapered reflector unit 102 may refer to anangle between a tapered surface, e.g., of the housing 170, and thelongitudinal axis LU of the tapered reflector unit 102. Similarly, asecond conical half angle ϕ of the tapered reflector 172 may refer to anangle between a tapered surface, e.g., of the tapered reflector 172, andthe longitudinal axis LF of the tapered reflector 172 such as thefrustoconical reflector. Each of the first conical half angle and thesecond conical half angle (hereinafter collectively referred to asconical half angles) may be proportional to each other. Each of theconical half angles may range from approximately 15 degrees toapproximately 75 degrees. Greater the conical half angle, shorter thelength of the respective component. In one example, a total length ofthe housing 170, or the tapered reflector unit 102, along thelongitudinal axis, LU or LF, may be up to approximately 20% greater thanthat of the tapered reflector 172. In another example, the taperedreflector 172 may have a total length along its longitudinal LF axisranging from approximately 10 cm to approximately 90 cm.

The tapering of the reflector, such as the tapered reflector 172, mayassist in (i) improving the intensity and/or uniformity of light passingtherethrough, or exiting therefrom, due to total internal reflection(TIR), and (ii) increasing a range or coverage of the UV light exitingfrom the tapered reflector unit 102. The intensity of light may befurther augmented by the curved profile of the tapered reflector 172having a circular cross-section; however, other suitable cross-sectionsincluding, but not limited to, rectangular, square, and polygonal, orany combinations thereof, may also be contemplated. In some otherexamples, at least inner surfaces of the tapered reflector 172, or thehousing 170, may be additionally made textured to further augment TIRand hence, the intensity and/or uniformity of the UV light emitted on toa target surface from or via the distal open end 182, or the distalopening 190. In a first example, the tapering feature of the taperedreflector 172 alone may provide a range of UV light, or the disinfector100, of at least approximately 1 meter at a pulse rate of approximately10 and 50 pulses per second and preset energy per pulse based on thetapered reflector 172 having a minimum length of 30 cm. The range mayrefer to a distance between the distal opening 190 and a target surface.In the first example, the energy received at the target surfaceapproximately 1 meter away from the distal opening 190 may be betweenapproximately 10 and 120 joules of UV energy. In a second example, thetapering feature of tapered reflector 172 in combination with texturedsurface may provide the range of at least approximately 1.5 meters atthe same pulse rate and energy per pulse based on the tapered reflector172 having a minimum length of at least approximately 30 cm. In thesecond example, the energy received at the target surface approximately1.5 meters away from the distal opening 190, may increase by at leastapproximately 3% up to approximately 15% of the energy received at the 1meter distance without the textured surface.

In a second embodiment, the tapered reflector unit 102 may be made up ofmultiple parts. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the taperedreflector unit 102 may be made up a front distal portion 202(hereinafter referred to as front portion 202) and a rear proximalportion 204 (hereinafter referred to as rear portion 204) manufacturedseparately and assembled together. Each of the front portion 202 and therear portion 204 may include a respective tapered housing 170 and arespective tapered reflector 172 (e.g., frustoconical reflector)including a lumen such as the lumen 176 for allowing the UV light topass therethrough, as described above. The front portion 202 may includethe distal open end 182 and a rear open end. Similarly, the rear portion204 may include a front open end and the proximal open end 186, whichmay be attached to the front plate 120-1 as discussed above. The rearopen end may be detachably secured to the front open end using anysuitable connection mechanisms known in the art including thosementioned above, as illustrated in FIG. 14, to avoid any light leakage.

In a third embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, the taperedreflector unit 102 may include one or more slots for receiving a firstattachment. For example, the housing 170 may include a first front slot210-la and a first rear slot 210-2 a (hereinafter collectively referredto as housing slots 210-a ). Similarly, the tapered reflector 172 (e.g.,frustoconical reflector) may include a second front slot 210-1 b and asecond rear slot 210-2 b (hereinafter collectively referred to asreflector slots 210-b ). Each of the first front slot 210-1 a and thesecond front slot 210-1 b (hereinafter collectively referred to as frontslots 210-1) may be aligned, e.g., vertically, with each other.Similarly, each of the first rear slot 210-2 a and the second rear slot210-2 b (hereinafter collectively referred to as rear slots 210-2) maybe aligned, e.g., vertically, with each other. Each of the front slots210-1 and the rear slots 210-2 (hereinafter collectively referred to asslots 210) may have any suitable dimensions for receiving the firstattachment. In the third embodiment, the UV lamp 134 may be positionedhorizontally within the cabinet 104 in some examples. In furtherexamples where the inner surface of the tapered housing 170 may beoperating as a reflector, instead of the tapered reflector 172 being adistinct part, the tapered reflector unit 102 may include a single frontslot (not shown) and a single rear slot (not shown).

Each of the slots 210 may be extend laterally, e.g., arrangedperpendicular to the longitudinal axis LF of the tapered reflector 172,or that of the tapered reflector unit 102; however, some examples mayinclude the slots 210 being slanted at a predefined angle relative tosuch longitudinal axis LF. In some other examples, as illustrated inFIG. 17, the reflector slots 210-b may extend laterally up to a centerof the tapered reflector 172. Such extended reflector slots 210-b mayassist in positioning the first attachment within the tapered reflector172 such as the frustoconical reflector, or the tapered reflector unit102. Moreover, in this embodiment, the tapered reflector unit 102 mayinclude a gap 178 between an inner surface of the housing 170 and anouter surface of the tapered reflector 172. The gap 178 may bepredefined in order to assist in inserting, accommodating, orpositioning the first attachment within the lumen 176 of the slottedtapered reflector 172 such as the frustoconical reflector, or that ofthe tapered reflector unit 102.

In one example, the first attachment may include a lens attachment 250as illustrated in FIG. 18. The lens attachment 250 may include a lensplate 252, a holder 254, a supporter 256 therebetween. The lens plate252 may be attached to the holder 254 via the supporter 256. The lensplate 252 may be transparent to UV light and have any suitable shape orcross-section based on a cross-section of the tapered reflector 172. Forexample, the lens plate 252 may be made circular based on a circularcross-section of the tapered reflector 172. The lens attachment 250 maybe configured to have any suitable thickness and size for beinginsertable into at least one of the front slots 210-1 and the rear slots210-2. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the lens attachment 250may be adapted for being inserted into the rear slots 210-2. Upon beinginserted, (i) the lens plate 252 may be positioned within, e.g., thelumen 176 of, the slotted tapered reflector 172, (ii) the supporter 256may be received or disposed in the gap 178 between the housing 170 andthe slotted tapered reflector 172, and (iii) the holder 254 may extendout of the first rear slot 210-2 a of the housing slots 210-a and assistin placing and retrieving the lens attachment 250 in the slots 210.Similar to the lens attachment 250, other examples of the firstattachment may include a shutter, an optical filter, a collimator, orany combinations thereof. In some examples, each of the front slots210-1 and the rear slots 210-2 may be adapted to receive multiple firstattachments such as multiple lens attachments. In FIGS. 8-9, FIG. 16,and FIG. 19, the housing 170 and/or the tapered reflector 172 are shownto include transparent surfaces only for the sake of explaining therelated and proximate components. One having ordinary skill in the artwould understand that the housing 170 and the tapered reflector 172would be made optically impermeable to UV light based on conceptsdisclosed in the present application.

In a fourth embodiment, the distal open end 182 of the housing 170,and/or the second open end 156, may be adapted to receive or connectwith a second attachment. In one example, the second attachment may bean annular brush having any suitable shapes and dimensions. Forinstance, as illustrated in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the second attachmentmay be a square-shaped annular brush (hereinafter referred to as squarebrush 270) having a central opening 272. The square brush 270 may alsoinclude bristles 274 extending away from the central opening 272. Thebristles 274 may be placed on one side or surface 276 of the squarebrush 270 and the opposing non-bristle side 278 may be adapted for beingsecured to the distal open end 182. For instance, as illustrated in FIG.22, the non-bristle side of the square brush 270 may be detachablysecured or mounted to the distal open end 182 of the housing 170, or thesecond open end 156 of the tapered reflector unit 102, using anysuitable connection mechanisms known in the art including thosementioned above. The square brush 270 may be secured in a manner thatprevents light leakage from its sides.

Similarly, in another instance, as illustrated in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24,the second attachment may be a circular or round annular brush(hereinafter referred to as circular brush 280) having a central opening272. The round or circular brush 280 may also include bristles 274extending away from the central opening 272. The bristles 274 may beplaced on one side or surface of the circular brush 280 and the opposingnon-bristle side may be adapted for being secured to the distal open end182. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the non-bristle side ofthe circular brush 280 may be detachably secured or mounted to thedistal open end 182 of the housing 170, or the second open end 156 ofthe tapered reflector unit 102, using any suitable connection mechanismsknown in the art including those mentioned above. The circular brush 280may be secured in a manner that prevents light leakage from its sides.

In each of the round or circular brush 280 and the square brush 270, thecentral opening 272 may have any suitable cross-section or shape. Forexample, the central opening 272 may be circular; however, any othershapes including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, andelliptical may also be contemplated. The second attachment such as thecircular brush 280 and the square brush 270 may be secured to align thecentral opening 272 with the distal opening 190 for allowing the UVlight to pass therethrough, so that the UV light received from thetapered reflector 172 is released onto a target surface exterior to thetapered reflector unit 102, or the disinfector 100. Further, thebristles 274, or related lengths or patterns thereof, may assist in (i)preventing or limiting peripheral dispersion of the UV light away fromthe target surface, (ii) avoiding or limiting inadvertent UV exposure toa nearby user or the operator, (iii) defining a minimum/safe distancebetween a target surface and the distal opening 190 for effectivedisinfection, and (iv) cleaning the target surface.

In further embodiments, the above described disinfector 100 may be mademobile but not handheld. Mobile may refer to a device that may be movedmanually or autonomously to pass the UV light over the target surfacewhen the disinfector 100 may be placed on a platform. Accordingly, adevice such as the disinfector 100 may be placed for being easily movedin a room for surface disinfection. For this, in one embodiment, thecabinet 104 may be permanently attached, detachably secured, or formedintegral to a support block 302 using any suitable connection mechanismsknown in the art. For instance, as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, thebottom plate 120-5 of the cabinet 104 may include one or more clips suchas a clip 304, which may be detachably secured into one or more groovessuch as a groove 306 in the support block 302 being an independent part.The support block 302 may be adapted for being attached to a mobileplatform 310 using any suitable connection mechanisms known in the art.In some examples, the support block 302 may be a distinct part of themobile platform 310 formed integral thereto as shown in FIG. 28.Accordingly, the disinfector 100 may be mounted onto the mobile platform310. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the mobile platform 310 may includewheels such as wheels 312-1, 312-2, and 312-3 (collectively wheels 312)of any suitable types known in the art including, but not limited to,omnidirectional wheels, Mecanum wheels, and caster wheels that may allowthe mobile platform 310, and hence the disinfector 100, to move(sideways, forward, rotate, backward, etc.) and to be relocated withprecision to any desired target position or orientation in a room. Otherexamples may include the mobility platform 310 being adapted as anautonomous vehicle to spatially drive the disinfector 100. Theautonomous vehicle and/or motorized wheels such as the wheels 312 may becontrolled by the control system, discussed above, of the disinfector100 or a remote computing device in communication with the controller140 over a network.

While the foregoing written description of the invention(s) enables oneof ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiments,methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the present application.

1. A handheld ultraviolet (UV) apparatus for surface disinfection, thehandheld UV apparatus comprising: a cabinet including a side having anoptical window; a UV lamp mounted within the cabinet and proximate tothe optical window, wherein the UV lamp is configured to provide UVlight through the optical window; and a tapered reflector unit includinga tapered reflector mounted within a housing, the tapered reflector unitincluding a first open end, a second open end, and a lumen therebetween,the first open end being attached to the side for receiving the UV lightand being larger than the second open end, wherein the tapered reflectorunit is adapted for directing the UV light through the lumen towards atarget surface via the second open end.
 2. The handheld UV apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the second open end is adapted for receiving an annularattachment having a central opening, wherein the annular attachmentincludes bristles extending away from the central opening.
 3. Thehandheld UV apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a shapedportion between the first open end and the second open end, wherein theshaped portion includes a frustum.
 4. The handheld UV apparatus of claim1, wherein the first open end is at least approximately 20% larger thanthe second open end.
 5. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a mobile platform supporting the cabinet.
 6. The handheld UVapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reflector within the cabinet,wherein the reflector is mounted behind the UV lamp.
 7. The handheld UVapparatus of claim 1, wherein a conical half angle of the taperedreflector unit is inversely proportional to a length thereof, theconical half angle being an angle between a tapered surface and alongitudinal axis of the tapered reflector unit, wherein the conicalhalf angle ranges from approximately 15 degrees to approximately 75degrees.
 8. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 1, wherein the taperedreflector unit further includes at least one slot for receiving anattachment.
 9. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 8, further comprisinga predetermined gap between the tapered reflector and the housing,wherein a portion of the attachment is disposed in the gap forpositioning the attachment in an optical path of the UV light within thetapered reflector unit.
 10. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 8,wherein the attachment includes at least one of a collimator, a shutter,a lens, and an optical filter.
 11. A handheld ultraviolet (UV) apparatusfor surface disinfection, the handheld UV apparatus comprising: acabinet including a side having an optical window; a UV lamp mountedwithin the cabinet and proximate to the optical window, wherein the UVlamp is configured to provide UV light through the optical window; ahousing including a distal portion and a proximal portion including aproximal open end, the housing tapering from the proximal open end to adistal open end of the distal portion, wherein the proximal open end isattached to the side; and a frustoconical reflector mounted within thehousing, the frustoconical reflector including a distal opening locatedin the distal portion and an opposing proximal opening located in theproximal portion, the proximal opening being adapted to receive the UVlight and have a first diameter greater than a second diameter of thedistal opening, wherein the frustoconical reflector is adapted fordirecting the received UV light therethrough towards a target surfacevia the distal opening.
 12. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 11,wherein the distal open end is adapted for receiving an annularattachment having a central opening, wherein the annular attachmentincludes bristles extending away from the central opening.
 13. Thehandheld UV apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a shapedportion between the distal open end and the proximal open end, whereinthe shaped portion includes a frustum.
 14. The handheld UV apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the first diameter is at least approximately 20%greater than the second diameter.
 15. The handheld UV apparatus of claim11, wherein the second diameter ranges from approximately 5 cm toapproximately 30 cm.
 16. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising a reflector within the cabinet, wherein the reflector ismounted behind the UV lamp.
 17. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 11,wherein a conical half angle of the frustoconical reflector is inverselyproportional to a length thereof, the conical half angle being an anglebetween a tapered surface and a longitudinal axis of the frustoconicalreflector, wherein the conical half angle ranges from approximately 15degrees to approximately 75 degrees.
 18. The handheld UV apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein at least one of the distal portion and the proximalportion of the housing includes a first slot and the frustoconicalreflector includes a second slot aligned with the first slot, the secondslot and the first slot being adapted for receiving an attachment,wherein the second slot receives the attachment through the first slotfor positioning the attachment in an optical path of the UV light withinthe frustoconical reflector.
 19. The handheld UV apparatus of claim 18,further comprising a predetermined gap between the housing and thefrustoconical reflector, wherein a portion of the attachment is disposedin the gap for positioning the attachment in the optical path.
 20. Thehandheld UV apparatus of claim 18, wherein the attachment includes atleast one of a collimator, a shutter, a lens, and an optical filter.